Bethesda appears poised to announce its highly anticipated remake of The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion within the next few weeks, with potential release dates ranging from April to June according to insider reports.
Credible Leaks Point to Imminent Reveal
Industry insider NatetheHate, who correctly predicted the Nintendo Switch 2 announcement date, has indicated the Oblivion remake will be unveiled this month or next. Video Games Chronicle (VGC) has independently verified these claims.
Regarding the release window, sources differ slightly. NatetheHate suggests a launch before June, while VGC reports it could arrive as early as April.
AnswerSee ResultsEarlier this year, Mp1st uncovered purported leaks from a former Virtuos employee about the remake project. Microsoft declined to comment when IGN reached out regarding these claims.
Substantial Gameplay Overhauls Expected
According to Mp1st's report, Virtuos is rebuilding the beloved RPG using Unreal Engine 5, suggesting this will be a comprehensive remake rather than a simple remaster. Notable gameplay changes reportedly include revamped systems for:
- Stamina management
- Sneak mechanics with visual indicators
- Redesigned blocking inspired by action/Soulslike games
- Modernized archery controls
- Improved hit reactions
- Redesigned HUD for better clarity
The leaks indicate these changes address frustration points in the original, particularly with blocking mechanics described as "boring" in the 2006 release.
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Origins of the Remake Rumor
Speculation about an Oblivion remaster first surfaced in 2023 when court documents from Microsoft's FTC case revealed Bethesda's pipeline, including:
- Financial year 2022: Oblivion Remaster, Indiana Jones game
- Financial year 2023: Doom Year Zero and DLC, multiple unnamed projects
- Financial year 2024: The Elder Scrolls 6, Fallout 3 Remaster, Ghostwire: Tokyo sequel, Dishonored 3
Interestingly, the document referred to an "Oblivion Remaster" rather than a remake. This suggests Bethesda may have expanded the project's scope since these 2020 plans.
Potential Multiplatform Release
With Microsoft embracing multiplatform publishing and Nintendo's next console on the horizon, the Oblivion remake could launch across PC, Xbox, PlayStation, and potentially Switch 2. If Nintendo's new hardware releases around June, Oblivion may become part of its launch lineup.
